GEOL464 Advanced Topics in Igneous Processes

Overview

Practical and theoretical investigations of magmatic rock suites, with the goal of understanding the processes that lead to volcanism on Earth.

About this paper

Restriction

GEOL 422

Eligibility

This is an honours / first-year MSc paper, and students are expected to have a bachelor's degree in Geology, or equivalent, including undergraduate papers on igneous rocks and geochemistry.

Contact

geology@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Co-ordinators: Professor James White or Dr Marco Brenna

Paper Structure

• Early-semester half- to full-day field trip
• Laboratory session(s), including petrography, SEM-EDS, etc.
• Weekly seminar sessions 1.5 hrs each

Topics:

• Review of petrology and geochemistry

• Context of Otago volcanism

• Geochemistry of Dunedin Volcanic Group (DVG)

• The mantle beneath Otago

• Partial melting and melt extraction

• Magmatic evolution in the DVG

• Volcanic systems

• How central is central volcanism?

• Timescales of volcano growth

• Cryptodomes, sills, dikes

• Joints: thermal and other

• Enclaves, magma mingling, mixing timescales

• Review

Teaching Arrangements

In person or Zoom seminars, plus self-directed reading and analysis.

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Course outline

Course outline (previous syllabus is indicative of content the next time the paper is taught).

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will have:

• Thorough understanding of the mechanisms and processes controlling magmatic generation, evolution, ascent and eruption (Scholarship, Interdisciplinary perspective)
• Comprehensive knowledge of the different physical components of a volcano's plumbing system and how they result and modify the landscape (Critical thinking, Self-motivation)
• In-depth knowledge of the interaction between magmas and Earth's surface and the resulting eruptions and effects on society (Environmental literacy)
• Confidence in the ability to design and undertake volcanic-related field and laboratory research and to communicate information and ideas, both orally and in writing, resulting from own work (Research, Communication, Information literacy)

Assessment details

Assessment = 30% of grade

Final Examination = 70% of grade

Timetable